“When Iran Fires Back: Why the West Stays Silent on Tehran’s Missile Retaliation”

Introduction: An Answer to Israeli Airstrikes

The Middle East was rocked by an unprecedented military exchange from June 13–19, 2025:

• Israel began Operation Rising Lion, destroying missile bases and assassinating IRGC commanders in an effort to target Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
• Iran retaliated across Israel with more than 100 drones and at least 150 ballistic missiles.
• Soroka Hospital in Beersheba was the worst affected; there was extensive damage, a chemical leak, and numerous injuries.

However, Western coverage focuses on evacuation maps and military logistics rather than outrage or solidarity. Why is this the case?

1. Framing “Retaliation” as Escalation – A Media Bias

The headlines said, "Missile barrage risks regional war," when Iran launched missiles.

However, what about the background?

• This was a sovereign response to a direct threat, retaliation.
• Rather than explaining Iran's actions, the media focused on evacuation, air defense posture, and US warships.

This story reflects trends: even in the face of existential threats, Palestinians and Iranians are frequently presented as catalysts rather than reactors.

2. Civilian Harm is Real—But Selectively Highlighted

Think about the attack at Soroka Hospital:

• Israel accuses Iran of committing a war crime after Iran claims it hit adjacent IDF and military installations.
• Injured: about 80; promptly evacuated. headlines from the West? "Deployment of US warships and evacuation warnings."

In contrast, pictures of devastated apartments and distraught families in Ukraine are heartbreaking, personal, and emotional.

Israel and Iran? No worries about distant logistics.

3. Europe Endorses Israeli Strikes While Avoiding Iranian Humanity

German Chancellor Merz hailed Israeli strikes at the G7 as "dirty work" that advances Europe.

Likewise, President Trump sent US troops to Iran and gave them an ultimatum.

However, where are the appeals for de-escalation on behalf of civilians in Iran?

Even Australia forced civilians to leave Tehran and evacuated diplomats, but not Israelis.

4. Total War vs. Targeted Retaliation

Iran launched a fierce defense after Israel's Operation Rising Lion struck missile bases, radars, and nuclear facilities.

A sovereign retaliation, this was war.

However, many Western outlets decontextualize Israeli bombardment and portray these strikes as Iran's escalation.

5. Public Silence—No Solidarity for Tehran’s Suffering

Since 13 June:

• According to reports, airstrikes killed about 657 Iranians.
• The "Tehran Exodus" was a mass exodus of civilians from the Iranian capital.
• Western narratives hardly mention the oil facility fires and outages that affect Iran's infrastructure.

The outcome?

No campaigns using hashtags. No TikToks that go viral. No sentimental pleas.

Only American warship placements and red alerts.

6. Why This Matters: The Humanity Behind the Headlines

A few things to keep in mind:

• On both sides, civilians are impacted by every missile response.
• It is dehumanizing to elevate Israel's defense while ignoring Iran's trauma.
• The media must contain:

Families in Iran fleeing bombs.

Tehran refugees are escaping.

The victims of Soroka—on both sides of the border.

Otherwise, it's propaganda at worst and biased empathy at best.

Conclusion: Call for Balanced Coverage and True Solidarity

Iran's missile retaliation was a painful response to an existential threat, not an act of aggression.

However, Western coverage normalizes Western bias and ignores Iranian suffering by concentrating on military deployments, logistics, and support for Israel.

We have to:

1. Call for fair humanitarian coverage of Iranian and Israeli civilians.
2. Demand not only arms shipments but also diplomatic pushbacks.
3. Encourage media stories that show humanity behind the headlines.
4. Keep in mind that empathy is independent of politics or nationality.

👉 What kind of morals do we develop if we only care about the suffering of one side?

🔚 Your Voice Matters

Share this article if you believe human lives matter equally—no matter which flag they live under.